Winchester buses set for free Wi-fi boost (From Hampshire Chronicle)
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Winchester buses set for free Wi-fi boost
4:34pm Monday 20th August 2012 in Winchester
Winchester buses set for free Wi-fi boost
Winchester residents will soon be able to surf the web on buses.
Free Wi-fi on buses is being rolled out by Hampshire County Council this month as part of a £7.3m scheme to improve the quality of bus travel in South Hampshire.
It comes after Transport for South Hampshire won funding from the Department for Transport’s £50m Better Bus Area Fund.
Chairman of Transport for South Hampshire, Councillor Mel Kendal, said: “By the end of August the first phase of work to install free Wi-Fi on buses across South Hampshire will have been completed for services in Southampton and the surrounding area, including parts of Test Valley, Winchester, Eastleigh and the Waterside. “We believe that by improving the overall passenger experience, this will encourage more people to travel by bus - and this, in turn, will help to stimulate the local economy.” He added: “Investment in other improvements such as refurbished buses, better lighting onboard and ‘smart’ card ticketing systems represents a comprehensive package that will help make sustainable transport a more attractive alternative and encourage people to switch from their cars.”
Wi-fi will be installed in 565 buses across South Hampshire while 137 will be refurbished with new flooring and upholstery.
